Large-sized compound polyurethane elastomer submarine anchor cable

ABSTRACT

A large-sized compound polyurethane elastomer submarine anchor cable to hold steady a offshore platform within a specific range defined by the anchors is comprised of outer layer made of polyurethane elastomer and carbon fiber mixed at a certain ratio, compressed and wrapping around aramid fiber or kelvar fiber or ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber and a core of synthetic fiber rope with molecular malleability; the rope exposed from both ends of the cable each in a loop; and each loop having one or multiple layers of sheath to wrap around the rope at where closer to a tie on each end.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to a large-sized compound polyurethane elastomer submarine cable used to hold stead a offshore platform, and more particularly, to one comprised of single layer or multiple layers of polyurethane elastomer and carbon fiber wrapping around a single layer or multiple layers of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber, aramid fiber or kevlar fiber to provide better buffer pre-stress, withstand tidal pull, and better return elasticity.

(b) Description of the Prior Art:

To expand more living space, development and exploitation of the space over the water at the area highly populated become one of the primary means for land expansion. Conventionally, developing the tidal flats on river, creek, and lake, and land refill in the shallow sea area are feasible in terms of engineering technology. An island like Taiwan where the density of population is extremely high, up-scaling development projects of landfill promoted by the government have been completed consecutively or are under construction. However, the surging awareness of environmental protection commencing since the 70's, the large-scale change of the natural environment has been opposed and seen as destruction to the environment. Given so, the ultra large-sized offshore platform on the sea for being disposed over the deeper sea to present less impacts upon the coast environment while keeping away noise and pollution that produce interference to the daily life from the densely populated area becomes an option highly favored. The steel structured offshore platform usually in gigantic size provides ample room for human activities. In recent years, many scholars proposed to build airport, incineration plant, container terminal, or refinery plant on an offshore platform; meanwhile, USA and Japan have inputted enormous resources in the R&D of ultra large-sized offshore platform. Stability of the offshore platform, capacity of withstanding sea currents, elasticity and bearing capabilities of materials, corrosion resisting property of materials, welding technology, and positioning technology present great challenges to the engineering technology due to the huge volume involved.

However, wave is the most unpredictable external force to the environment of the ocean and could cause the most powerful devastating destruction. Wave is always the primary factor to consider in the dynamic design for coastline oceanic projects including offshore rig, coast transition, breakwater, and harbor planning. How to hold the offshore platform steady becomes the important issue toady.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide a large-sized compound polyurethane elastomer submarine anchor cable to secure an offshore platform within a smaller restricted area so to prevent the offshore platform from drifting away when the anchor cable of the prior art is broken by excessively greater transient fluctuation speed of the wave due to severe weather condition.

To achieve the purpose, the present invention is comprised of one layer or multiple layers of polyurethane elastomer, carbon fiber, and aramid fiber or kelvar fiber or ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber to provide better buffer pre-stress, withstand tidal pull, and better return elasticity to hold the offshore platform steady.

The outer layer of the present invention is made of polyurethane elastomer and carbon fiber mixed at a certain ratio, compressed and wrapping around aramid fiber or kelvar fiber or ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber, and a core of synthetic fiber rope with molecular malleability (e.g., nylon, nylon 66, polyester rope). The rope is exposed in a form of a loop from both ends of the cable; and each loop has one or multiple layers of sheath made of aramid fiber, kelvar fiber or UHMWPE fiber wrapping around the rope at where closer to a tie on each end to provide extra friction withstanding strength. One end of the anchor cable is fixed to the offshore platform and the other end fixed to each anchor to contain the offshore platform within a limited area defined by multiple anchors the offshore platform is fastened to.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a construction of a large-sized compound polyurethane elastomer submarine anchor cable of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a loop and a sheath of the cable of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an assembly for use of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a large-sized compound polyurethane elastomer submarine anchor cable 20 of the present invention to hold an offshore platform 11 to a submarine anchor 12 is comprised of a single layer or multiple layers of polyurethane elastomer and carbon fiber mixed at a given ratio. The cable 20 wraps around aramid fiber or kevlar fiber or ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber. The cable 20 contains a core rope 30 made of synthetic fiber e.g., polyamide, polyester or nylon with high molecular malleability. The rope 30 is exposed of out both ends of the cable 20 and braided in a form of consistently distributed self-locking loop braided in alternative lamination fashion.

One or multiple layers of sheath 32 wraps around the rope 30 at where closer to a tie on each end. Each sheath 32 wraps around the tie 31 in alternatively braided fashion, then tightened up and compressed to increase the strength and friction withstanding property of the tie 31.

The sheath 32 is made of aramid fiber, kevlar fiber or UHMWPE fiber(DYNEEMA). Wherein, the UHMWPE fiber (DYNEEMA) must be heated and vulcanized at the same time with the Polyurethane elastomer to produce high friction withstanding property. The tie 31 of the loop is fastened to the offshore platform 11 and the other end of the loop is fastened to each anchor 12 for the cable 20 to hold the offshore platform 11 steady within a limited range defined by multiple anchors 12 as illustrated in FIG. 3. Of course, a large-sized steel karabiner may be used to fasten the loop to the offshore platform while the other end of the cable is fastened to each anchor to achieve the same purpose of holding steady the offshore platform.

It is to be noted that the present invention by using one or multiple layers of polyurethane elastomer and carbon fiber wrapping around one or multiple layers of aramid fiber, kevlar fiber or UHMWPE fiber provides better buffer pre-stress to withstand the strong pull by the rising and falling of tide. The use of connection and latch ends effectively secures the cable for the offshore platform to be held steady within a smaller area and prevents the offshore platform from drifting away due to that the cable is broken by excessively large fluctuation speed of the wave in severe weather conditions such as the strike of typhoon. The core rope for giving excellent malleability provides fast return force for the cable once the external pull disappears.

The prevent invention provides an improved structure of a large-sized compound polyurethane elastomer submarine anchor cable to hold an offshore platform steady in position on the sea, and the application for a patent is duly filed accordingly. However, it is to be noted that the preferred embodiments disclosed in the specification and the accompanying drawings are not limiting the present invention; and that any construction, installation, or characteristics that is same or similar to that of the present invention should fall within the scope of the purposes and claims of the present invention. 

1. A large-sized compound polyurethane elastomer submarine anchor cable includes an outer layer made of polyurethane elastomer and carbon fiber mixed at a given ratio warping around aramid fiber, kevlar fiber or ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, and a core rope made of synthetic fiber with high molecular malleability; the rope contained in the cable exposed out of both ends of the cable being each made in a loop and provided with one or multiple layers of sheath wrapping around the rope at where closer to a tie on each end.
 2. The large-sized compound polyurethane elastomer submarine anchor cable of claim 1, wherein the sheath is related to carbon fiber, kelvar fiber or ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fiber.
 3. The large-sized compound polyurethane elastomer submarine anchor cable of claim 1, wherein the polyurethane elastomer is heated and vulcanized at the same time when incorporated with ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (DYNEEMA) fiber.
 4. The large-sized compound polyurethane elastomer submarine anchor cable of claim 1, wherein the rope is made of synthetic fiber with high molecular malleability including nylon, nylon 66 or polyester rope.
 5. The large-sized compound polyurethane elastomer submarine anchor cable of claim 1, wherein the rope is made in a form of consistently distributed self-locking loop braided in alternative lamination fashion. 